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Gretel, Rainer, Franklin and Adrian all have difficult stories that combine poverty, drugs, alcohol, Unemployment and despair. However, this Friday they had a much better day as they received hugs, food, clean clothes, vaccines against covid-19 and tetanus, and a little Chinese wine.
They were among the hundred homeless people who came to the neighborhood of the Peace Civic Center in the El Molino neighborhood of Cartago to participate in an event organized by the Cartago City Government in partnership with institutions such as the Institute of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA), Cartago se guatea, the Mixed Social Assistance Institute (IMAS), Don Semir School, Salon and Beauty, Cartago Health Zone, Manantiales Senior Center and a long list of goodwill groups.
“My family can’t stand me because of my alcoholism, I have two houses and look where I am; my brother has been giving me guaro since I was five years old… He hasn’t drunk for a year and she (pointing to her companion) is the one who gives me food every day. A man passed by Las Lunas and told us what they were going to do today (Friday) and that’s why I came. I don’t want to stay here anymore, I can’t stand the cold in Cartage, it’s too much for me because we sleep on the streets. During this time, they cut my hair and I’m going to buy clothes and get vaccinated,” said Gretel Vargas.
The 43-year-old woman from Jericó de Desamparados has been suffering from a combination of widowerhood, violence from her next partner and Unemployed, they threw her out on the street According to his story, it was back to alcoholism.
In addition to the assistance, the participants also enjoyed artistic performances, dance and theatre. Everything is part of the first phase of the strategy that the City Council wants to implement with the support of many entities and organizations.
As Deputy Mayor Silvia Navarro Gómez explained, the plan is to document these people, their situations and reasons, or if they suffer from addictions and diseases. The ultimate goal is to understand and address these needs.
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“As of noon, initially about 100 people have been treated. Through the social sphere of the municipality, support is provided for the registration and organization of various groups and institutions in the state who are invited to join,” he said.
Franklin and Adrian left gratefully
Adrián Quirós lived in San Martín de Oremuno, but moved to Cartago about 10 years ago. Two years ago, his situation became complicated and he found himself without food or a place to sleep.
“Then I couldn’t find a job and that, combined with alcoholism, led me to this situation. I experimented with drugs as a teenager and although I no longer drink, I am still struggling and trying to sort out my life,” said the 37-year-old diabetic.
He said he would rent a room in Los Dix whenever he could. That’s what happens when you get paid for running errands or doing yard work.
“Through one of the houses I learned that they were going to help us today. I did not get the vaccine because I had already received all the vaccines, but thank God I dressed and they treated me very well, we have to make things better and value the efforts made by these people,” he reflected.
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Franklin Hurtado, 33, also finished fourth in Los Diques. He is from Granada, Nicaragua, and fled the situation in his country. He came to Cartago because he has family there, but because his relatives are not doing well financially, he would rather “not be a burden” and try to be self-reliant.
“I came here from San Jose on foot and saw the situation of my family, I didn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, I have been on the street for almost 15 days. I walk alone and someone gives me food or I go to take out the garbage and they give me 1,000 or 2,000 pounds, I eat with that money, when I can I pay 1,000 pounds in Los Dix, where there is a boy who rents a house… But when I can’t, because it is difficult, I prefer not to eat and spend money to sleep or go to the shelters here in Cartago,” he said.
He was so happy this Friday because they gave him his vaccinations and cut his hair because he hadn’t had one in a while.
Recovery opportunities for street homeless people
Juan Rafael Mora Cerdas of the No Hago ni Mate association explained that the campaign has been organized for a month and a half, and that the association distributes hugs, cookies and sandwiches to street dwellers three times a week. They also provide them with showers and clean clothes.
“We expect between 125 and 150 people to come today (Friday) to fill out the IMAS FIS form (Social Information Form) for possible social assistance. For our part, we will discuss with them the assistance we provide on a non-profit basis and the Manantiales Center will discuss with them their hospitalization and rehabilitation opportunities,” he added.
Maybe Reina Garcia will give it another try, because he says he’s been in recovery for years and has relapsed, like now, and he’s been on the streets for a week.
“When I was well, I did maintenance work at the Civic Centre. I’m a master builder, but I’m human and I make mistakes; when I was well again, I put it to work,” he said.
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